New deal to galvanise Melrose Sevens

Melrose Rugby has announced that engineering firm Cairnhill Structures, which celebrates 40 years of innovation this year, is continuing as an important partner sponsor of the world’s oldest Rugby Sevens tournament, the Melrose 7s.
Doddie Weir OBE, left, with Neil WatsonDoddie Weir OBE, left, with Neil Watson
Doddie Weir OBE, left, with Neil Watson

The newly-expanded Melrose 7s tournament, being held at the Greenyards between April 9-12, will officially kick off the firm’s birthday festivities.

The sponsorship deal will see Cairnhill Structures branding take pride of place, alongside

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Doddie Weir’s My Name’5 Doddie foundation, on the Melrose 7s team strip this year, and

also on the Melrose 7s strip throughout the Scottish Borders 2020-21 Kings of Sevens

tournament.

The main stand at the Greenyards will be named the Cairnhill Steel Solutions Stand, with

prominent branding, as part of the agreement.

Neil Watson, group managing director of Cairnhill Structures, said: “Innovation is a key

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driver in everything Cairnhill does and so we are delighted to be involved with the Melrose 7s

again this year, especially as the club has announced an innovative and inclusive new

format to the event.

“The Melrose 7s is a prestigious event in the World Rugby calendar. Given the new all-

weather surface that has recently been installed, I am sure we will see an exciting brand of

rugby at The Greenyards.

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“Our business has evolved well over the decades and we wish Melrose Rugby Club every

success in its ambitions for the development of this world-famous Sevens tournament.

Gordon Brown, chairman of Melrose Rugby Ltd, said: “We’re so pleased to have Cairnhill

Structures on board as shirt and stand sponsors for the Melrose 7s.

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“We can’t wait to put on a spectacular event that will deliver all the traditional elements that

regular 7s supporters know and love, with new and exciting tournaments that will hopefully

attract a whole new audience to Melrose in April.

“We’re sure the Easter weekend of rugby and entertainment will provide Cairnhill with

valuable and high-profile branding opportunities and raise further awareness for Doddie’s

MND foundation.”

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It’s been well documented over the years that Rugby Sevens was first played at the Greenyards, in Melrose, in April 1883. The abbreviated

format was the brainchild of Ned Haig. That original vision has created one of the most athletic, exciting and demanding of team sports.

The ladies of Melrose raised the funds for the small but very stylish Ladies Cup, which was to be presented to the best seven men.

Dave Sanderson, Ned Haig’s employer, accepted the trophy and it was never competed for again.

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It now sits proudly in a Sevens display cabinet in the Ned Haig Lounge in the Melrose Rugby Clubhouse.

Rugby Sevens is now both a Commonwealth Games and Olympic Sport and is testament to the founders who set the original ball in motion.

Melrose is the home of the Sevens game. It is proud of its heritage and its place in rugby

history. Melrose Rugby Ltd will continue to promote the abbreviated game in tribute to Ned

Haig and those early pioneers.

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